GIRAFFE CENTER, KAREN BLIXEN & KAZURI
BEAD CENTER
A visit to the fascinating Giraffe Center enables
you to come face to face with the Rothschild Giraffe
and have the pleasure of hand feeding them with Giraffe
food. Karen Blixen Museum, former home of the Authoress
of 'Out of Africa’ now a National Museum will
also be visited. Its history dates back to 1914, during
the First World War, with the arrival of Karen Blixen
from Denmark. At the foot of Ngong Hills, Karen Blixen
established herself as a farmer. After her departure
in 1931, the suburbs retained the commemorative home
of Karen. Next stop is the Kazuri bead centre-a self-help
women project where hand made ceramics and jewellery
are produced.
Price per Person 60/- US DOLLARS
THE GIRAFFE CENTER INFORMATION
The giraffe center is a wonderful and refreshing experience
to enjoy as an excursion while in Nairobi. The tour
gives a completely up close and personal interaction
where guests have the opportunity to view giraffes
as well as feed them. The African Fund for Endangered
Wildlife Kenya (A.F.E.W. Kenya) also known as the
Giraffe Center is a non-governmental, non-profit making
organization, which was founded by Betty and Jock
Leslie-Melville in 1979.
This was in a bid to save the endangered Rothschild
Giraffe, which had lost its natural habitat in Western
Kenya to agriculture and there were only 130 left
in the wild. Funds were raised and four herds were
moved to four Parks namely Lake Nakuru National Park,
Mwea Game Reserve, Ruma National Park and Nasalot
Game Reserve. Today the Rothschild Giraffe population
in Kenya is about 500.
The centre today also acts as a place for free environmental
education to the Kenyan youth, Conservation of endangered
species and Support of other conservation projects
all over Kenya.
The Complete Giraffe Center Experience
Indigenous Forest:
The indigenous forest is a remnant of the natural
forest that once surrounded Nairobi. It comprises
of over 100 acres of dry upland forest that is part
of the larger ecosystem that originally comprised
of the current Ngong Forest and Ololua Forest hence
all these have similar vegetation species.The forest also has an impressive variety of bird species,
which can be seen throughout the year.
The most common trees are the Croton megalocarpus,
Olea africana, Albizzia gummefera, Ficus Thonningii.
Species of these trees grow larger along the seasonal
Gogo River, which cuts across, forming cathedrals
with spreading canopy.
The Forest Nature Trail:
Giraffe Center invites you to explore the unique ecosystem
of the Center's dry upland forest, which is one of
the remaining segmented natural forests outside Nairobi
city. You will have the option of guiding yourself
or taking a guide. This leisurely stroll begins directly
in front of the parking lot at Giraffe Center. Using
interpretative brochure and walk way stations, you
will acquaint yourself with the most common vegetation
in the forest sanctuary. The trail gradually descends
to the Gogo River then turns rightwards back to the
start point.
Across the River Trail to Ngong View Point:
This is a continuation of the forest nature trail.
When you gradually descend to the river, cross to
the other side of the river. Here you will acquaint
yourself with local plants, birds and rocks. The trail
ascends gradually for 100m to rocky and open bushed
glades bringing you close to the highest point to
the trail, which can give you a view of the Ngong
Hills. Turn right and descend back into the forest
down to the Gogo River under a beautiful forest canopy.
Here look for some wonderful parasitic plants. Cross
the river and descend gradually back to the start
point at Giraffe Center.
